Don't Forget Your Homestead Exemption

The deadline to file for your Osceola County Homestead Exemption is March 2nd, 2015. The homestead exemption could save you thousands of dollars on your tax bill. The Osceola County Government Center gets pretty busy this time of year with filings, so don’t wait until the last minute. Better yet, take advantage of the ability to file online.

For those of you unfamiliar with this Florida Law, you NEED to read this. The Homestead Property Tax Exemption Law entitles every person who has legal title to a property in Florida as of January 1st of the current year and maintains it as a primary residence to apply for a $50,000 homestead property tax exemption. Many people from other states are unfamiliar with this tax benefit since most states have age requirements on this kind of exemption. Not in Florida! If it’s your primary residence, you’re eligible.

Can you see the benefits yet? Here’s an example. Let’s say you own a property that is valued/assessed at $200,000 and your millage rate (tax rate) is 1.7%. Your tax bill for the year would be roughly $3400 for the year . If you file for your Homestead Exemption on time and with all of your information, then your assessed value is reduced to $150,000, which makes your annual tax bill go down to $2550.

That is a savings of $850 in just one year!

The application is easy to fill out and does not take more than few minutes.

Here is what you need:

A copy of the deed to your property or a current tax bill if you have owned your property for more than one year.
Your Florida driver’s license or a Florida ID if you are a non-driver.
Your Social Security Number
If filing on a mobile home, you mobile home title or registration.
Application, which can be found

Here is the address to apply:

Osceola County Government Center

2505 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
Kissimmee, Florida
8:00 am - 5:00 pm, M – F

You can also apply online at: ra.property-appraiser.org/Homestead

Check this off of your “To Do” list today!